NAPLES, Fla. — To celebrate its 75^th anniversary, Martinizing Cleaners recently unveiled its “Ultimate Thrifting Guide” to help the emerging wave of apparel shoppers best understand the various fabrics, designs, and signs of wear and tear they will encounter on their savings hunts.

“Martinizing has been on the frontlines in providing for the American workforce since our founding,” says Kevin DuBois, CEO of Martinizing Cleaners. “As we celebrate our 75^th anniversary we recognize the evolution in American work and leisurewear. When we began, our most common consumer was the working man, who relied on the full three-piece suit. Soon after, our services diversified as women entered the modern workforce and eventually popularized designer jeans, luxury brands, and other appropriate ‘Casual Friday’ attire. Today,  we serve a mix of work-from-home and in-office clients, along with Gen-Z and their unique approach to apparel purchasing. We’re proud to have served millions of people around the world these past 75 years and we look forward to continuing to ready our clients for the trends of today and tomorrow.”

DuBois points out that according to ThredUp, 65% of Gen Z and Millennials shopped for secondhand apparel in 2023 with 41% of consumers reporting that when seeking a deal on apparel, secondhand is their first option. ThredUp also shared that the $230 billion global secondhand apparel market is expected to grow three times faster than the overall apparel market to reach $350 billion by 2028 with new shoppers accounting for 65% of the spend.

“So many thrifters are encountering fabrics, designs and flaws that they may not have seen before and they don’t have the kind of knowledge that our franchisees do,” DuBois said. “Whether shopping for high-end brands or dealing with rare items, we wanted to provide a variety of tips that will make for a more enjoyable and thoughtful shopping experience while also helping the average consumer understand how important proper care is for maintaining their great finds.”

The guide includes the following tips:

FABRICS

• Leather – Leather and other animal skins are notoriously difficult to restore. If you notice cracks, tears, or scratches on a leather piece, it’s best to avoid it or take that into account when purchasing. Leather and other animal skins should be cleaned professionally.
• Wool - Wool is one of the most durable and easy-to-maintain fabrics you can come across, which means it can easily be cleaned at home. Frays and loose stitching can be easily fixed, but be wary of discoloration, as this tends to be permanent. Moths are also particularly drawn to wool, and holes in a wool piece could be a telltale sign of a moth infestation.
• Rayon - Rayon is a delicate fabric that typically needs regular dry cleaning or can only be hand washed. The biggest challenges with rayon are wrinkles and stains. Wrinkles can be handled with the proper care; however, you likely won’t be able to remove a splash or spill stain from this fabric.
• Cotton - Cotton is fairly durable and extremely easy to maintain, usually at home. One of the most notable signs of aging in cotton is when it loses its shape. You may notice that a garment is stretched out or “baggy.” This usually can’t be fixed.
• Polyester - Nicknamed “the invincible fabric,” polyester is built to stand the test of time. It’s wrinkle-resistant, relatively stain-proof, and will maintain its shape after multiple washes. Be wary of ironing or using high heat on polyester. As a synthetic fiber, it can release toxic fumes if not dealt with properly. Polyester is also more prone to hold onto odors which can be difficult to wash out – even for a dry cleaner. Other than that, polyester is fine to put straight in your washer and dryer.
• Linen - Linen is one of the most fragile fabrics. It typically requires dry cleaning after each wear. It will shrink quickly if dried at home. Stains can be particularly stubborn in linen, and discoloration cannot always be fixed. The strength of the fabric can vary from item to item depending on how tight the stitching is.
• Silk - Silk is a finicky fabric. It’s one of few fabrics that can rot and it can also easily be permanently discolored. Before you buy a silk garment, stretch it a little and see if it falls apart. If it does, it’s rotted. Silk garments definitely need to be professionally cleaned.
• Denim - Denim fades and shrinks with every wash, even if handled by a dry cleaner. If you find a denim piece that fits a little snug, know that it’s only going to get smaller. Also, remember that any fading is permanent. Denim can be cleaned at home just fine.

WEAR AND TEAR

Turn clothes inside out before you bring them to checkout. This is where you’ll find the info you need about the quality, wear and tear of the garment. Look for these signs:

• Loose stitching: Quality designer clothing is often hand-sewn with stitches an eighth of an inch apart. These items were likely higher priced at retail and will cost more to restore, alter and launder. 
• Tight stitching: Tight stitching means that a piece of clothing was made by a machine and is more likely built to last in your washer and dryer.
• Torn Seams:  Torn seams shouldn’t be a problem. Your dry cleaner or tailor can handle this and shouldn’t deter you from a piece that you really like. However, if the tear is not on a seam, its likely unrepairable. 
• Stains - Some stains can be repaired – some are permanent. Yellow stains or white dots on certain fabrics can’t be repaired. The same goes for discoloration under the armpit. One of the challenges, even for dry cleaners, is when a stain has settled into a garment that has been washed and dried numerous times. We can give it a try, but it may not come out.